1. Welcome to UGA! J-1 Scholar Orientation
International Student, Scholar, & Immigration Services
Sylvia Schell
Assistant Director

2. What is a J-1 Exchange Visitor
A foreign national temporarily in the U.S. under the U.S. Department of State
Purpose: Educational and Cultural Exchange (Not employment, although incidental employment is ok)
Expectation: Return to home country at end of program

3. Each category has its own rules and regulations.
J-1 Categories at UGA
Student
Specialist
Student Intern
Research Scholar
Professor
Short-Term Scholar
Each category has its own rules and regulations.
*Changes of category require approval from DOS and are rarely granted.

4. Common Acronyms CBP: Customs and Border Protection
DHS: Department of Homeland Security
DOS: Department of State
EV: Exchange Visitor (J-1)
ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
SEVIS: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

5. Step 1: Check-In with ISSIS
All exchange visitors & J-2 dependents are required to check in with ISSIS after arriving in the U.S. Validation of the SEVIS record will only occur after check-in is completed.
J-1 & J-2 Visa
Passport
Printed I-94
DS-2019
Proof of Health Insurance
Pay ISCF Fee

6. Step 2: Check In with UGA Departments
Check in with your Academic Department
Obtain UGA ID Card at UGA Card Office
Obtain UGA MyID.
If you receive payment or funding from UGA, Contact Susan Caldwell
Complete New Employee Orientation
Sign Up for Health Insurance
Parking Permit with Parking Services
Post Doc Association: Contact Jessica Hawks - or
Open Bank Account
Obtain Social Security Number & Driver’s License
Check out ‘New to Campus’ at newtocampus.uga.edu

7. International Scholar & Compliance Fee: ISCF
Unrelated to the I-901 SEVIS fee paid to the U.S. Government to obtain your visa, UGA has an ISCF that must be paid to OIE upon arrival:
This fee is:
$50 for a stay of 6 months or less
$100 for 6 months to a year & each year thereafter
The fee can be paid by check or money order payable to “UGA/OIE.”

8. SEVIS Student Exchange Visitor Information System
The internet-based system streamlines reporting and record keeping within the Department of Homeland Security & Department of State
SEVIS ID number is assigned to all exchange visitors and their dependents within SEVIS that appears on the Form DS-2019

9. Certificate of Eligibility DS-2019
Generated by your Program Sponsor via SEVIS
Shows you have been accepted to participate in an exchange visitor program designated by the U.S. Department of State
Determines what date you are allowed to enter the U.S. and what date you should depart the U.S.
Should remain valid at all times

10. I-94: Admission Document
New Process!
Printed from cbp.gov/i94
“Determining” document:
Determines status in which
visitor is granted entry to the
U.S., and the duration of that
status
“D/S”=Duration of Status
You will print a new I-94 each time you enter the U.S.

11. Visa
Visa is placed in an individual’s passport and allows the person to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the U.S. Inspecting Officer will determine eligibility for entry into the U.S.
Obtaining a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.
Used for entry purposes only
Does not need to be valid to remain in the U.S.
Ok if it expires in U.S.
Does not determine legal status in U.S.
Must be obtained OUTSIDE the U.S.

12. Passport Official identification while in the U.S.
Name in passport should be the same on all immigration documents
Should always have at least 6 months of validity

13. Maintaining J Status
Comply with Health Insurance Requirements for self & dependents
Check-In with ISSIS- SEVIS Record is Validated
Attend ISSIS Orientation
Depart from US in a timely manner
Engage ONLY in activities listed on DS-2019

14. Maintaining Status (Cont…)
No Unauthorized Employment
Comply with all Local, State, and Federal Laws
Keep Passport current for at least 6 months in the future
Report Address Changes within 10 days of the move date
File timely & appropriate transfers & extensions

15. Program Termination
Exchange visitors who fail to comply with the J-1 regulations are subject to termination from their J-1 program
Reasons for termination can include:
Failure to conduct the activities listed on the DS-2019
Violation of the regulations of the exchange visitor program and/or rules of The University of Georgia
Willful failure to maintain the mandatory exchange visitor and dependent (if applicable) insurance coverage requirements, and;
Engagement in unauthorized employment

16. J1/J2 Health Insurance
The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to purchase and maintain medical health insurance coverage while in the United States including medical evacuation & repatriation insurance. It mandatory!
Minimum insurance requirements are:
Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

17. Transfers
Exchange visitors may continue their program objective under the sponsorship of another authorized sponsor in the U.S. by having their SEVIS record transferred to the new program sponsor.
Requirements for transfer of program include:
Program sponsor is approved by Department of State (DOS) to sponsor the same J Exchange Visitor category
Program objective/activity remains unchanged
Period of program will not exceed maximum DOS established period; and J Exchange Visitor checks in with new sponsor immediately following transfer date
Proof of acceptance to new sponsor is required before transferring
Further information concerning a transfer of program can be found:
J1 Exchange Visitor Transfer Out Request Form

18. Departure Form
As you finish your stay at the University of Georgia, we ask you to take a few moments to complete a departure form. The information gathered here will allow us to update your record in a timely manner.
The Notice of Departure form is located on our website:
J1 Exchange Visitor Departure Form

19. J1 Travel For re-entry into the United States, the
exchange visitor needs:
Valid DS-2019
Valid travel signature (every year if traveling)
Valid passport
Valid visa (if subject to the requirement)
Temporary Absences – contact OIE before leaving
U.S. for extended period of time
* YOU WILL RECEIVE A NEW I-94 NUMBER EACH TIME YOU ENTER THE U.S., and can print your I-94 record at

20. Extension of Stay
Extensions are obtained for exchange visitors through the sponsoring department. Proper paperwork must be submitted to ISSIS 30 days before the end date of the J program
A professor or research scholar can be sponsored by UGA for a maximum period of five years
A short-term scholar program is limited to 6 months in duration. NO extensions granted
A specialist is limited to 1 year in duration. No extension granted
Your department will be required to initiate the extension request at Departmental Information for Hiring or Hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor

21. Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement
Requires a J-1 exchange visitor (EV) to return home for two years after completing a J-1 program, or be granted a waiver through DOS before changing status to an H, L or immigrant status
An EV is subject if one or more of the following are true:
His/her program is financed directly or indirectly by U.S. government, the EV’s own government, or an international organization
The EV’s home country has deemed his/her field of research or skill necessary to the development of that country, as shown on the Exchange Visitor Skills List
The EV has come to the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training
J-1 “subjectivity” may be notated on J-1 visa stamp and/or DS-2019
Waivers must be filed directly by the J-1 to the DOS. ISSIS does not assist (conflict of interest)

22. 12-Month Bar
A visiting scholar is not eligible to begin an exchange program as a Professor or Research Scholar based on a DS2019 issued “to begin a new program” if he or she was physically present in ‘any’ J status (including J-2) for “all or part of” the “twelve month period immediately preceding the date of program commencement set forth on his or her Form DS2019.”
If in the U.S. for less than 6 months OR as a short-term scholar, this does not apply
Example:
EV was a Research Scholar at UGA from 1/1/2013 – 8/1/2013 (7 months). EV is not eligible to return to UGA on another J-1 Research Scholar program until 08/01/2014 (12 months after end of 1st program). EV could come back earlier as a Short-Term Scholar

23. Repeat Participation As A Professor or Research Scholar
24 Month Bar
Repeat Participation As A Professor or Research Scholar
If the Professor or Research Scholar completes a full five years of program participation with one or more sponsors; or If, before the full five-year period is over, the Professor or Research Scholar completes his or her program. In this case, the continuity of the five-year period is broken, the five-year window is "closed," the individual is not eligible to access the remaining unused time, and the individual must wait for two years before beginning a new program as a J Professor or Research Scholar.
Must wait two years before holding the Professor or Research Scholar category again
Could possibly come back earlier as Short-Term Scholar
This rule is separate from and in addition to the:
12 month bar
2 Year Home Residency Requirement
Example:
EV completes Research Scholar program at UGA on 6/1/2013 and returns home. EV must wait until 6/1/2015 before returning to UGA as a Research Scholar. Could come back earlier as Short-term Scholar, as long as 12-month bar met.

24. J-2 Dependents
Exchange visitors with family members (spouse and/or children under the age of 21) may be eligible to have those family members accompany them during their stay
Dependents of J Exchange Visitors are granted J-2 status and are required to have a separate Form DS-2019 issued in order to apply for a J2 visa stamp
Dependents are required to carry health insurance meeting specific requirements as outlined in the insurance information.
Minor J2 dependents are allowed to attend kindergarten through high school. Adult J-2 dependents can study full or part-time
Dependents are subject to the Two Year Home Residency Requirement – 212(e) along with the J-1
Dependents are eligible to apply for work authorization once they arrive in the U.S. by filing an I-765 with the USCIS. Information can be found at: under immigration forms.

25. Social Security
UGA Scholars who are actively employed on campus are eligible to apply for a social security number
The Social Security number is used by the U.S. Government to identify wage earners for tax purposes
To apply for a social security number, you need the following:
Valid passport
DS-2019
Printed I-94 record
Letter of offer/invitation from department
Mailing address: Prince Avenue, Athens, GA ,
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
For additional information go to

26. Driver’s License
You can use your unexpired international driver’s license to drive in the U.S. for the first 12 months
To apply for a Georgia Driver License, you need the following
Social Security card (or denial letter from social security office if you are not eligible for a card)
Passport
Printed I-94 card Record
DS-2019 (Eligibility of Certificate)
Proof of residence in the state of Georgia such as:
Bank Statement showing your Georgia address
Current Lease agreement
Employer verification
Current utility bill (i.e. water, electricity or gas)
For more information, please contact GDDS at

27. Room 204 Business Services Building
Payroll & Taxes
Susan Caldwell
Payroll Department
Room 204 Business Services Building
fax:
Website:

28. J Scholar Listserv
This listserv is for scholars and UGA departmental faculty and staff.
Updated immigration and general information is sent out as needed.
If you are not getting messages please and asked to be added to the Scholar Listserv!

29. Walk-In Hours Tuesday 2 pm – 4 pm Wednesday 2 pm – 4 pm
Thursday 9 am – 11 am

30. Compliance Unit- J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Office
Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Exchanges
U.S. Department of State
301 4th Street, S.W., Room 734
Washington, D.C
Fax

31. Contact OIE/ISSIS
Office of International Education International Student Scholar & Immigration Services 1324 South Lumpkin Street Athens, GA 30602
Phone: (706) Fax: (706)

32. Questions?